Having trained with Incognito in the past, Canty surprised by Dolphins guard's alleged racial remarks

Pictures of the Ravens game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17.

Aaron WilsonThe Baltimore Sun

Back in 2005, Ravens defensive end Chris Canty was preparing for the NFL draft. One of his workout partners was Richie Incognito, the controversial Miami Dolphins offensive guard who's been indefinitely suspended for conduct detrimental to the team for allegedy making racially-charged statements and threats toward teammate Jonathan Martin. "I do know him, I've understood and heard the things from his past," Canty said. "I'm not familiar with the things he's had going on since then, but it's really unfortunate this took place. I didn't see him as somebody capable of using those racial slurs and leading racially charged attacks on Jonathan Martin in the fashion that he did. "I didn't see that. General troublemaker, might see that, but not in this form or fashion. This is surprising to me to see any player using these kind of remarks and these kind of attacks in this day and age." Canty has struck a strong stance on the Dolphins' combustible locker room situation. The tempest in South Florida has triggered Martin leaving the team to seek counseling and the NFL launching a formal investigation. If the allegations are true, Canty said Incognito shouldn't play in the NFL again. "Playing in the NFL is a privilege, not a right," Canty said. "And I think it should be treated as such. I don't think there's any place for racism, racially charged attacks. I don't think there's a place for it." Canty said he can't condone anything about what allegedly happened, and doesn't believe any NFL locker room would. "It wouldn't play out too well in any NFL locker room," Canty said. "The Richie Incognito situation, I really have a hard time believing that the guys in the Miami Dolphins' locker room knew that was taking place, that he was leaving racial slurs on his voice mail and having racially charged attacks on Jonathan Martin. I don't think guys understood the extent of what was going on. "I don't think that would end well for whoever that was leaving those remarks and leading the charge on those kind of racial attacks. There's no place for that anywhere in our society and we all recognize that an NFL locker room is a different kind of workplace. There's still no place for that. Racial slurs, there's no place for it, and I don't think guys will stand for it. Locker rooms are typically a place that polices itself, and I think in such a situation, it would." Canty said at least the Dolphins took swift action by indefinitely suspending Incognito unlike the Philadelphia Eagles having wide receiver Riley Cooper briefly be excused from practice for mandatory counseling and fining him. "Even going back to the Riley Cooper incident, this is unfortunate that this is continuing to take place," Canty said. "I do want to commend the Miami Dolphins for setting a precedent in their course of action as opposed to what the Philadelphia Eagles decided to do, giving Riley Cooper a slap on the wrist. "I think that emboldens people to use those kind of slurs. I think the Dolphins are setting the right example for how a workplace should feel safe and secure for everyone." Nose tackle Terrence Cody echoed Canty's sentiments. "Racial stuff, you got to draw the line," Cody said. "There's man rules. You should never try another guy and disrespect some guy's manhood. That was overboard." awilson@baltsun.com twitter.com/RavensInsider